About that Russian skater

The Olympics are struggling in many ways. No spectators. All time low tv ratings. Athletes no longer being amateurs. Athletes crossing borders to seek their own fortune (thus subverting the idea of "international competition")

And of course countries putting pressure on the events in various ways.

Plus payoffs and scandals surrounding hosting (because there's big money to be made)

Including from Russia of course.

Russia has a huuuuuge doping scandal. So much so that they are not allowed to compete as Russia. They are the "Russian Olympic committee."

It pisses them off. Because they get caught.

There is much back and forth and legal wrangling.

And of course they don't stop doping - why would they? This is about money. About winning.

So a 15-year-old skater gets caught. It's not her fault! Maybe she tested positive because she drank from the same glass as her grandfather! You can't keep her from competing!

There're a lot of lawyers involved. No decisions. No idea what to do.

The Olympic committee, corrupt to the core, is trying to stay relevant. They can not win in any case. So why not sluff it off until after the games are over?

Because the alternatives are (1) that the rest of the world gets pissed and stops competing or (worse) people stop spending money. Or (2) Russia says they're not playing anymore and forms their own worldwide games.

In either case, there is a revenue issue Who makes money then?

This is 100% about money and power.
The Olympics are not about competition. Though certainly to some athletes it is.